28 September 2023 to 14 April 2024
Free Admission
Towner Eastbourne is hosting the Turner Prize 2023, the world’s leading prize for contemporary art, as the centrepiece of our centenary celebrations.
One of the best-known prizes for the visual arts in the world, the Turner Prize aims to promote public debate around new developments in contemporary British art. Established in 1984, the Prize is awarded to a British artist for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the previous twelve months. The announcement of the winner of the Turner Prize will take place on 5 December 2023. The Turner Prize winner will be awarded £25,000 with £10,000 awarded to the other shortlisted artists.
With support from Eastbourne Borough Council, East Sussex County Council and the University of Sussex, the Turner Prize will bring transformative cultural and social experiences for visitors and residents.
Large Print and an Audio Guide, as well as other accessible resources, can be found on our Turner Prize Accessibility page.
This is a Free exhibition. Advance online booking is recommended, giving you priority access during busy times. You can also visit without booking in advance but may need to wait at peak times.
Artists
By train
Find out how to get to Towner car-free
There are regular trains to Eastbourne station from London Victoria, London Bridge, Brighton, Bexhill, Hastings and Ashford.
Please plan your journey and book tickets without any booking fees via Southern Railway.
Walking from Eastbourne Station
Route One - featuring comments from the Eastbourne Access Group and the Eastbourne Blind Society.
The most direct way to reach Towner, with wide paths and dropped curbs when crossing.
Access report on Route One - With grateful thanks to: Brian Day, Eastbourne Access Group, Gaynor Sadlo, Eastbourne Access Group, Jenny Eldridge, Eastbourne Dementia Action Alliance, David Barry, SEA DEEP (Dementia Peer Support Group) Mark Simmons, Eastbourne Blind Society, Lou Wallis, Pevensey Bay and Eastbourne Rollers and David Edwards, Eastbourne Dementia Action Alliance.
Route Two
A more scenic route that takes you through the independent shopping district of Grove Road and South Street.
By bus
Buses 12, 12A, 12X, 13X, 3, 98 & 99 stop near Towner.
Cycling
Bike racks are available on Devonshire Quarter Plaza in front of Towner.
You can explore the area around us with the beautiful Coastal Culture Trail map which is available to download here.
By car
For Towner via satnav use postcode BN21 4JJ or for College Road Car Park use BN21 4HZ
Pay and Display car parking is available in College Road Car Park, 100m from Towner which includes blue badge spaces. Charges (except blue badge) apply 8am - 6pm daily, incl. Bank Holidays. Minimum charge is £1.40. Free on-street parking is possible on College Road and other adjacent streets. 5 Blue Badge spaces are available in the layby alongside the Devonshire Quarter Plaza. There is also a drop off/waiting area for blue badge holders immediately outside Towner, with a 30 minute waiting time. The nearest multi-story car parking is at Trinity Place, which is a 10 minute walk to Towner.
Exhibitions
Tuesdays to Sundays: 10.00am to 5.00pm
Bank Holiday Mondays: 10.00am to 5.00pm
Late First Fridays: Open to 8.00pm on the first Friday of each month
Closed 5, 24, 25, 26 December & 1 January
Restaurant
DAYTIMES
Tuesday to Sunday
+ Bank Holiday Mondays
10.00am to 4.30pm
EVENINGS
Thursday to Saturday
5.30pm to 10.30pm
Find out more & book: lighttowner.org.uk
We have developed a number of access resources to support your visit to Turner Prize 2023, and our team are on hand in each space to help with any individual access needs you may have during your visit. If you have any specific access requirements that you need to arrange in advance, please contact dutymanagers@townereastbourne.org.uk
Sensory bags
Sensory Bags containing aids for visitors such as ear defenders, fidget toys, mini-magnifiers, colour paddles and Sunflower Lanyards will be available in the Turner Prize Welcome Space. Sensory Bags can be used for the duration of your visit.
Quiet Space & Quiet Times
We are offering bespoke Quiet Time sessions for groups who would benefit from a calmer, more relaxed experience. The sessions are mainly for – but not limited to – children, young people and adults with autism; people with social, emotional, or mental health needs; adults living with dementia; and any other visitors, groups or classes with sensory needs or who may benefit from a calmer experience.
To book a Quiet time session please send your query to mollie.howells@townereastbourne.org.uk
Please note: Quiet times can only take place outside of Towner’s usual opening times and with a minimum of two weeks’ notice. If a quiet space is needed during your visit, please speak to a team member and we’ll be happy to facilitate.
Visual Guide & Sensory Maps
Anna Farley, Associate Artist with Project Art Works, has worked with us to create a visual guide and seonsory maps for Turner Prize 2023. Anna makes work exploring her autism and co-occurring conditions, as well as policies and attitudes in the UK towards disabilities, benefits and inclusion. This guide includes sensory maps and access information, offering new ways for all visitors to access the Turner Prize exhibitions. It presents visual rather than text-led information.
Audio Guide
VocalEyes, a charity dedicated to bringing art and culture to life for blind and visually impaired people, has developed audio descriptions of each space.
Listen to the Turner Prize Audio Guide
(no download required)
Large Print Guides
You can use the links below to download large print versions of the text on the gallery walls. When you click the link, the relevant Large Print Guide will automatically download and be stored in your device's Downloads folder.
Artist spaces:
Seating
We have provided visitor seating in spaces where possible, and we also have stools available on request that you can carry with you. Staff will be happy to bring stools to you if needed.
Captions
The four artist films on show in the Turner Prize Welcome Space are captioned.
Artist Talks
BSL interpretation will be offered at each of our four in-person artist events.
We are taking bookings for educational group visits to the Turner Prize up until 12 April 2024.
Book an Educational Group Visit
We have also been working with The Nibble Bibble Duck Toes (A Year 9 art collective from The Turing School) and artist Richard Phoenix to develop a student resource: Give it Some Oomph!
This guide for engaging with contemporary art, created by and for young people, can be downloaded along with a Teachers' Resource to support your visit.
Sussex Art Shuttle
The Sussex Art Shuttle is a new hop-on-hop-off minibus running every weekend from 15 September until 17 December 2023 between Towner Eastbourne, Charleston, Seven Sisters Country Park and Charleston’s new arts space in central Lewes.
The bus will run Fridays to Sundays. See the schedule below:
The Lansdowne
The Lansdowne is a family owned (since 1912) hotel on Eastbourne seafront with a selection of cosy, standard, executive, family and superior bedrooms, many with far-reaching sea views.
Booking for the Turner Prize?
Enjoy a £25.00 discount on rooms at The Lansdowne this autumn
Use the discount code TURNER2024 to receive a £25.00 discount - available to book from 28 September 2023 until 14 April 2024 (subject to availability).
Port Hotel
Port Hotel is a contemporary boutique hotel situated on the Royal Parade in Eastbourne with far-reaching sea views, just a stone’s throw from the beach. A lovingly restored Victorian Townhouse hotel, boasting 19 modern bedrooms with a relaxed and inviting cocktail bar.
Booking for the Turner Prize?
Port is offering a 15% discount on Bed & Breakfast until 14 April 2024
Use the discount code Turner2023 by emailing hello@stayatport.com (subject to availability).
The View
Situated on the seafront with stunning panoramic views, The View Hotel Eastbourne offers guests an ideal base while visiting Eastbourne.
Booking for the Turner Prize?
The View is offering a 10% discount on all room bookings from 1 June 2023. Use the discount code TURNERPRIZE2023. Guests using this code will also be entitled to a 10% discount on food.